August 29, 2025 • 8 mins
With games beginning to start and many awaiting tomorrow's big noon kickoff, Week 0 of the college football 2025-26 season is now underway! Focusing on Texas, the Longhorns are rolling up to Columbus, Ohio, to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in their highly anticipated season opener. What appears to be a rematch from last year's Cotton Bowl loss, former Detroit Lions fullback and sideline reporter for the Longhorns, Will Matthews, takes a moment to share the hype surrounding Saturday's big noon kickoff and what to expect from the Longhorns as they roll into this season.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
But hold that thought, Gordy, because now Will is joining us. Well, hey,
appreciate it, buddy, thanks for hopping on with us. You know,
I was just mentioning before you came on about all
of the players that Texas has to replace on offense.
Let's start first with the offensive line. I know people
want to talk arch and we will. But when you
have to replace four out of five starters and you've
(00:20):
got a guy that's really becoming a first time starter,
isn't that a little bit of a concern.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Yeah, I mean it really is. You can't supplement active
reps and no matter how much you practice, and that
is definitely a concern, especially with significant portion of the line,
you know, being renewed. New guys with some reps last year,
great guys who we know are going to get the
job done. But you know, the question is cohesiveness. Can
(00:47):
those guys actually get it together for tomorrow?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Talking with Will Matthews and obviously getting ready to see
what the Astros are, or rather what the Longhorns could
do up there in Columbus taken on Ohio State tomorrow morning.
And well, I mean I look at the backfield and say,
you know, this should be one of the best backfields
in the country. You know, all to talk about arch
(01:11):
and all this, but if the offensive line is as
good as they think it can be, I almost think
the mL for this game should be running football and
play that dominant defense that they played all last year
and don't even have to put the ball in Archer's
hands to win it. Because if this ground game could
be what we think it could be, maybe you go
in it that way.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
You know, as an ex running back and pull back.
You're talking my language. That's exactly what I want to hear.
I want to hear that ground and pound. I mean,
traditionally Texas has the last couple of years, even though
we were in the playoffs final four appearances, that last
little bit of getting that third and one, that ground
(01:50):
in pound, like we're just gonna shove it down and
we're just gonna go with lacking it and with the
maturity that we're seeing over there with them and what
we think is possible. That's really the extra edge, especially
with CJ. Baxter coming back, Christian Clark being back there,
and of course Trey Wiseman again well.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Matthews joined US sidelines on the Texas Longhorns Radio Network
with Craig Way and Roger Wallace joining us here on
the Seawan Salisbury Show. Defensively, I mean, everybody looks at
Anthony Hill, Manny Mohammad, guys like that, and for good reason,
Michael Taff back there at the safety spot. But up front,
how do they feel about that group on the line?
Speaker 2 (02:31):
You know, you know, Anthony's Colin Simmons is going to
do his thing, Anthony Hill is going to also do
his thing. But the thing I'm so excited to see
is guys like Cole Levard, James January, guys down low
who you know, haven't haven't been in the limelight as much,
but the opportunity there is enormous. We're really leaning heavily
(02:53):
on that front seven, feeling that they're going to come
together in a way that's going to be really special.
And I mean, even to mention Trey More can't wait
to see what he can do his second year in
this defense, especially being cross trained on the edge and
at linebacker. I mean, there, we've got so many versatile
pieces that we're gonna be able to move and I
(03:14):
think the power and that and really the emphasis is
going to be that front seven.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Well, let's let's talk about Arch. All the hype and
everything that's built towards this. Uh. I keep hearing people say, oh,
you know it's it's you know, acted like it's his
first start. I mean, he did start two games last
year in the absence sequent yours, got his feet wet
a good bit last year, So I don't think the
moment's going to be too big for him. But I've
(03:39):
heard multiple people say this week, nobody prepares better than
the Mannings, And you got to think that either from
Grandpa Archie, Uncle Peyton or Uncle Eli on down to
Dad Cooper, Like, I think that they've prepared Arch for
this moment, and I just can't foresee a you know,
a game that he's gonna go out there throw four
interceptions and just look terribly. I feel like he's going
(04:00):
to be well prepared for this moment.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Yeah, you know, you're right, And that's really the sentiment. It's, Uh,
he's shown this whole time that you know, he was
okay with taking the time it takes to really cook
to get ready. I mean with the difference in Ohio
State that you know, Julian's saying this off season was
(04:23):
fighting for a role and of course kudos to him
for winning that that job and being the starting quarterback,
but he's facing a guy who's been waiting in the wings,
who is focused and who has earned the respect of
that locker room years ago, and so transitioning into that
(04:43):
starting role where where the Ohio State quarterback is was
fighting for his role, we've got We've got Arch who
is leading a team. He's spent his whole off season
leading the team and now just at the helm and
making it his team. It's a special thing. So I'm
excited to see what he does. And you know, adversity
(05:05):
comes to us all and there will be some setbacks
and some things that you know will be like wow,
what happened there? But you know, I'm ready to see
this young man do his think.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
A couple of more minutes with former Texas running back
fullback Will Matthews, who does the sidelines on the Texas
radio call with Craig Way and Roger Wallace, and last
year we saw a defensive game plan and I understand that,
you know, Matt Patricia's there now, Jim Knowle's no longer
there as the DC, but with what Texas faced last year,
(05:34):
it seemed like Ohio State knew vertically was going to
be a challenge for them, So keep everything in front
of them. What do you think they're going to try
to throw at Arch tomorrow to try to throw them off?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You know, they've got some really incredible players up there.
They are the champs for a reason because of their
coaching and because of their personnel and because of their culture,
and so Texas is really going to have to earn it.
And I think that's the way that Texas really really
wants to do it. And what I would be doing,
(06:05):
and what they're gonna do is they're going to try
to confuse them. They're going to try to send different
people from different places and also a really play on
the inexperience of the of the line. Can we confuse
them up front and can we bring can we bring
somebody in the back that's free and leave Arch one
(06:25):
on one with somebody. Well, we feel really confident about
Arch's ability to do that. But still, I mean, I
can foresee a little bit of adversity coming there because
of House, they be such a great defense. But we're
hoping that Arch can prevail and that the Longhorns will
pull it out.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
It is interesting though. Well, when you look at the
schedule and know that you have a road trip at Florida,
you got Oklahoma in Dallas, you got a road trip
Latencyason in Georgia. Then of course you host A and
M to finish the season. It is is a pretty
This is a much difficult, more difficult schedule than last year.
And you know, while this game doesn't make or break
(07:02):
or you know, if you lose this when you're not
out of the playoffs, is going to make it more
difficult knowing you got you know, multiple more potential losses down.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
The road, you know, and that's really, uh the testament
of what of what Texas is looking to build. You know,
it's uh, guys come to Texas and because of the schedule,
because they're going to play those big time games, and
you know, it is a daunting task to to try
(07:33):
to try and overcome some of these names. I mean, Florida,
that's going to be that's going to be a beast,
stand him coming in here, that's going to Athens. Those
are those are new experiences, but that's what college football
is about. As much as that. As you look at
that and go, man, that could be a red flag
goodness for me, I'm like, let's go, let's take it on.
And just being with coach Sark this week, it seems
(07:54):
like the players are taking on that personality where they're saying,
you know, we're so thankful and excited for this schedule
and it's a great opportunity for us to play great
teams and get some wins and learn along the way
on our way to the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Right to argue with that again, you're gonna hear them
tomorrow morning here on the call of the Texas Longhorns
and Ohio States up there in Columbus. As you hear
all of the Texas football games here on Sports Talk
seven ninety, he is Will Matthews on the sidelines with
Craig Way and Roger Wallace. Well, safe travels up to Ohio,
and we'll definitely catch up with you again here very soon.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
All right, talk soon, Hook
But hold that thought, Gordy, because now Will is joining us. Well, hey,
appreciate it, buddy, thanks for hopping on with us. You know,
I was just mentioning before you came on about all
of the players that Texas has to replace on offense.
Let's start first with the offensive line. I know people
want to talk arch and we will. But when you
have to replace four out of five starters and you've
(00:20):
got a guy that's really becoming a first time starter,
isn't that a little bit of a concern.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Yeah, I mean it really is. You can't supplement active
reps and no matter how much you practice, and that
is definitely a concern, especially with significant portion of the line,
you know, being renewed. New guys with some reps last year,
great guys who we know are going to get the
job done. But you know, the question is cohesiveness. Can
(00:47):
those guys actually get it together for tomorrow?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Talking with Will Matthews and obviously getting ready to see
what the Astros are, or rather what the Longhorns could
do up there in Columbus taken on Ohio State tomorrow morning.
And well, I mean I look at the backfield and say,
you know, this should be one of the best backfields
in the country. You know, all to talk about arch
(01:11):
and all this, but if the offensive line is as
good as they think it can be, I almost think
the mL for this game should be running football and
play that dominant defense that they played all last year
and don't even have to put the ball in Archer's
hands to win it. Because if this ground game could
be what we think it could be, maybe you go
in it that way.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
You know, as an ex running back and pull back.
You're talking my language. That's exactly what I want to hear.
I want to hear that ground and pound. I mean,
traditionally Texas has the last couple of years, even though
we were in the playoffs final four appearances, that last
little bit of getting that third and one, that ground
(01:50):
in pound, like we're just gonna shove it down and
we're just gonna go with lacking it and with the
maturity that we're seeing over there with them and what
we think is possible. That's really the extra edge, especially
with CJ. Baxter coming back, Christian Clark being back there,
and of course Trey Wiseman again well.
Speaker 1 (02:10):
Matthews joined US sidelines on the Texas Longhorns Radio Network
with Craig Way and Roger Wallace joining us here on
the Seawan Salisbury Show. Defensively, I mean, everybody looks at
Anthony Hill, Manny Mohammad, guys like that, and for good reason,
Michael Taff back there at the safety spot. But up front,
how do they feel about that group on the line?
Speaker 2 (02:31):
You know, you know, Anthony's Colin Simmons is going to
do his thing, Anthony Hill is going to also do
his thing. But the thing I'm so excited to see
is guys like Cole Levard, James January, guys down low
who you know, haven't haven't been in the limelight as much,
but the opportunity there is enormous. We're really leaning heavily
(02:53):
on that front seven, feeling that they're going to come
together in a way that's going to be really special.
And I mean, even to mention Trey More can't wait
to see what he can do his second year in
this defense, especially being cross trained on the edge and
at linebacker. I mean, there, we've got so many versatile
pieces that we're gonna be able to move and I
(03:14):
think the power and that and really the emphasis is
going to be that front seven.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Well, let's let's talk about Arch. All the hype and
everything that's built towards this. Uh. I keep hearing people say, oh,
you know it's it's you know, acted like it's his
first start. I mean, he did start two games last
year in the absence sequent yours, got his feet wet
a good bit last year, So I don't think the
moment's going to be too big for him. But I've
(03:39):
heard multiple people say this week, nobody prepares better than
the Mannings, And you got to think that either from
Grandpa Archie, Uncle Peyton or Uncle Eli on down to
Dad Cooper, Like, I think that they've prepared Arch for
this moment, and I just can't foresee a you know,
a game that he's gonna go out there throw four
interceptions and just look terribly. I feel like he's going
(04:00):
to be well prepared for this moment.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Yeah, you know, you're right, And that's really the sentiment. It's, Uh,
he's shown this whole time that you know, he was
okay with taking the time it takes to really cook
to get ready. I mean with the difference in Ohio
State that you know, Julian's saying this off season was
(04:23):
fighting for a role and of course kudos to him
for winning that that job and being the starting quarterback,
but he's facing a guy who's been waiting in the wings,
who is focused and who has earned the respect of
that locker room years ago, and so transitioning into that
(04:43):
starting role where where the Ohio State quarterback is was
fighting for his role, we've got We've got Arch who
is leading a team. He's spent his whole off season
leading the team and now just at the helm and
making it his team. It's a special thing. So I'm
excited to see what he does. And you know, adversity
(05:05):
comes to us all and there will be some setbacks
and some things that you know will be like wow,
what happened there? But you know, I'm ready to see
this young man do his think.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
A couple of more minutes with former Texas running back
fullback Will Matthews, who does the sidelines on the Texas
radio call with Craig Way and Roger Wallace, and last
year we saw a defensive game plan and I understand that,
you know, Matt Patricia's there now, Jim Knowle's no longer
there as the DC, but with what Texas faced last year,
(05:34):
it seemed like Ohio State knew vertically was going to
be a challenge for them, So keep everything in front
of them. What do you think they're going to try
to throw at Arch tomorrow to try to throw them off?
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You know, they've got some really incredible players up there.
They are the champs for a reason because of their
coaching and because of their personnel and because of their culture,
and so Texas is really going to have to earn it.
And I think that's the way that Texas really really
wants to do it. And what I would be doing,
(06:05):
and what they're gonna do is they're going to try
to confuse them. They're going to try to send different
people from different places and also a really play on
the inexperience of the of the line. Can we confuse
them up front and can we bring can we bring
somebody in the back that's free and leave Arch one
(06:25):
on one with somebody. Well, we feel really confident about
Arch's ability to do that. But still, I mean, I
can foresee a little bit of adversity coming there because
of House, they be such a great defense. But we're
hoping that Arch can prevail and that the Longhorns will
pull it out.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
It is interesting though. Well, when you look at the
schedule and know that you have a road trip at Florida,
you got Oklahoma in Dallas, you got a road trip
Latencyason in Georgia. Then of course you host A and
M to finish the season. It is is a pretty
This is a much difficult, more difficult schedule than last year.
And you know, while this game doesn't make or break
(07:02):
or you know, if you lose this when you're not
out of the playoffs, is going to make it more
difficult knowing you got you know, multiple more potential losses down.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
The road, you know, and that's really, uh the testament
of what of what Texas is looking to build. You know,
it's uh, guys come to Texas and because of the schedule,
because they're going to play those big time games, and
you know, it is a daunting task to to try
(07:33):
to try and overcome some of these names. I mean, Florida,
that's going to be that's going to be a beast,
stand him coming in here, that's going to Athens. Those
are those are new experiences, but that's what college football
is about. As much as that. As you look at
that and go, man, that could be a red flag
goodness for me, I'm like, let's go, let's take it on.
And just being with coach Sark this week, it seems
(07:54):
like the players are taking on that personality where they're saying,
you know, we're so thankful and excited for this schedule
and it's a great opportunity for us to play great
teams and get some wins and learn along the way
on our way to the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Right to argue with that again, you're gonna hear them
tomorrow morning here on the call of the Texas Longhorns
and Ohio States up there in Columbus. As you hear
all of the Texas football games here on Sports Talk
seven ninety, he is Will Matthews on the sidelines with
Craig Way and Roger Wallace. Well, safe travels up to Ohio,
and we'll definitely catch up with you again here very soon.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
All right, talk soon, Hook
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